Can't help with SoTs but if you're considering a sea kayak for a larger chap, I found the Tiderace XcapeX and XploreX were grand for me at that weight. I'd have thought most of the larger SoTs would carry you fine.

My fibreglass Valley Aquila is designed for expeditions and must be one of the highest volume sea kayaks ever built. Unless it's well loaded, it sits too high in the water for my liking but that shouldn't be a problem for you. I'm 6ft2 with size 13 feet, and have plenty of room.

The boat is in good condition, has a fitted pump, has always been stored indoors, and is for sale.

I have a Lettman Baikal fibreglass sea kayak which I was about to advertise. It's a high volume boat with a large cockpit. I found that it sits too high in the water unless i add about 10kg of ballast to my 82kg. At 18 st (114 kg) it would sit well in the water. Based in N E England.

In our kayak school we have a big range of sea kayaks for larger paddlers including the new P&H Scorpio HV and the Reval HV in composite. The Tahe Reval HV sees a lot of use and even in Kevlar is only £1800 so is relatively easy to handle off the water. It has a very rigid/supportive backrest which appeals to a lot of larger paddlers and also comfortably accommodates large thighs.

As it happens, my XcapeX is now for sale. 2011 boat, well used and with the usual scratches and scrapes from lots of lovely adventures. No structural damage though, and comes with a Silva compass and fittings for deck-mounted tow gear. £700.

As it happens, my XcapeX is now for sale. 2011 boat, well used and with the usual scratches and scrapes from lots of lovely adventures. No structural damage though, and comes with a Silva compass and fittings for deck-mounted tow gear. £700.

Since completing my BCU, I've been on two SOT Kayaks, one of which being a Tarpon 120. As I result I opted for a SOT and purchased a FatYak Kaafu. I went on my first outing today and felt totally different in feel to the two other SOT Kayaks. It felt as though, I was skating on ice and kept falling in the surf, which had never happened on my previous 3 outings.